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Whether you just purchased a home with a swimming pool or you’ve owned it for years and you’re beginning to encounter problems, this information can be a real life saver.
The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays will make the chlorine in an outdoor pool dissipate quickly. In fact, an ideal level of chlorine in an “unstabilized” pool or spa can be lost in less than two hours on a bright sunny day, due to the UV rays of the sun.
Cyanuric acid acts as a “stabilizer” that helps chlorine hold up better when exposed to the UV rays. You can think of cyanuric acid as blocking the effect that the sunlight has on breaking down the chlorine – kind of like a sunscreen for your pool.
You should maintain an ideal level of cyanuric acid, 30 to 50 ppm (mg/L), to prevent rapid chlorine loss. If the cyanuric acid level is too low, you may need to add more to the water. However, be advised that cyanuric acid will make the pH of the water lower (more acidic), so you may have to adjust the pH upward as well. On the other hand, too much cyanuric acid will reduce the beneficial effect of your chlorine, leading to stains or cloudy water. Some chlorine compounds already contain an amount of cyanuric acid. If you are using dichlor or trichlor as your primary chlorine sanitizer, you are already introducing cyanuric acid along with the chlorine. If the cyanuric acid level is your pool or spa is too high, you will need to partially drain and refill with fresh water.When you first fill your pool or spa, test the cyanuric acid level until you have added enough to reach the ideal range. After that, test cyanuric acid a minimum of once a month throughout the pool season. If you are using dichlor or trichlor, you will have to test cyanuric acid more frequently to ensure that the level has not exceeded the upper limit.To your success…
Terry
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I have a real problem I had to fire my poolman for sabotaging my pool. He would purposely do things to make my pool mess up then tell me I needed to have it repaired. He even made my pool go from a crystal clear blue to a murk nasty green so I would pay him to repair the problem. I got wise and watched him from my window and saw him taking the pool vac. out of the pool, leave it beside the pool and mess with the valves on the pump. I fired him on the spot BUT found out that not knowing exactly what he did I can’t repair it. I tried replacing the pool vac. BUT not knowing which valve he turned I have no vacuum in the pool. For some reason it will not suction now even with the pool vac disconnected. Can you tell me which valve controls the intake/outtake pressure thqat causes the vacuum the pool vac needs to function? Please help me. thank you in advance Wanda Kerns
Hi Wanda,
I can understand your frustration. More than likely, the “suction” valve that pulls water from the vac line has been shut down. If possible, email some pictures of the valves (3-way Jandy) on the suction side of the equipment so I can better assess and I’ll be more than happy to assist you.
You can also do this by trial and error – adjust the 3-way valve and with each adjustment check to see if there is suction at the cleaner. If not, you know that the suction side is still blocked off.
Terry
Do you have any information on salt water pools. Our three pools are supposed to be salt water but I notice the pool man is adding chlorine. I would think chlorine plus NACL could cause calcification or something worse.
Your other information has been very informative. Thank you. Bert Upson
Good question Bert…
Could be a few different reasons for this…perhaps the salt got low and he needed a boost before additional salt was added. Could be cell is dirty and not producing enough chlorine (he should have cleaned it if this is the case). First thing I would do is to see how long he’s been adding chlorine for…
You can also check out Professional Grade at http://www.fireyourpoolguy.com. There’s quite a bit of information there on salt systems.
All the best,
Terry
We just filled our pool for the first time and when I tested the water the Cyanuric Acid level was at 150. The information I have been reading says that to lower this level I need to empty some water and refill the pool. Won’t this give me the same result since this was already the first time we filled the pool? Is there something wrong with our water?
Very uncommon Michelle to have a source of water measuring that high w/ CYA. I’d recommend having the water tested again or take it to a retailer that does free testing.
Terry